Control chart: A statistical process control tool in pharmacy

Main Article Content

Samip Shah
Pandya Shridhar
Dipti Gohil

Abstract

Control chart is the most successful statistical process control (SPC) tool, originally developed by Walter Shewhart in the early 1920s. A control chart can easily collect, organize and store information, calculate answers and present
results in easy to understand graphs. It helps to record data and allows to see when an unusual event, e.g., a very high or low observation compared with “typical†process performance, occurs. Computers accept information typed in manually, read from scanners or manufacturing machines, or imported from other computer databases.The resulting control charts can be examined in greater detail, incorporated into reports, or sent across the internet. A stable process is a basic requirement for process improvement efforts. A computer collecting information in real time can even detect very slight changes in a process, and even warn you in time to prevent process errors before they occur. First, control charts demonstrate how consistently process is performing, and whether you should, or should not, attempt to adjust it. Next, the statistical process
control chart compares the process performance to standard pharmaceutical requirements, providing a process capability index as an ongoing, accurate direction for quality improvement. Finally, control charts and its resulting process capability index quickly evaluate the results of quality initiatives designed to improve process consistency. This review focuses on elements of control chart and types of various control charts along with example. Advantages of various control charts are also included.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Shah, S., Shridhar, P., & Gohil, D. (2014). Control chart: A statistical process control tool in pharmacy. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics (AJP), 4(3). https://doi.org/10.22377/ajp.v4i3.144
Section
Articles

References

Lachman L, Lieberman HA, Kanig JL. The theory and practice of industrial pharmacy. 3rd ed. Mumbai: Varghese Publishing House; 1987. p.

-28.

Remington AG. The science and practice of pharmacy. 21 st ed.

Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2005. p.1813-7.

Available from: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_chart [last

accessed on 2010 Mar 2010].

Swarbrick J. Encyclopedia of pharmaceutical technology. 3rd ed, Vol. 6. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.; 2007. p. 3503.

Montgomery DC. Introduction to statistical quality control. 4th ed. New York: JohnWilley; 2001. p. 312-5.

Ryan TP. Statistical methods for quality improvement. 2nd ed. New York: John Willey; 2000. p. 467-78.

Pruett JM, Schneider H. Essentials of SPC in the process industries. 2nded. Instrument society of America; 1996. p. 1023-5.

Rodriguez R. Recent developments in process capability analysis. J Qual Technol 1992;24:176-87.

Kushler RH, Hurky P. Confidence bounds foe capability indices. J Qual Technol 1992;24:188-95.

Nash RA. Understanding the process capability index concept. J Valid

Technol 1998;4:202-4.

Sanford RL. Cumulative sum control charts for admixture quality control. Am J Hosp Pharm 2000;37:655-99.

George EB, William G, Hunter JS. Statistics for experimenters: An

introduction to design, data analysis and model building. New York:

John Wiley and Sons; 1998. p. 43-5.